Saying it how it is through Design

School of Design Media Design alumnus Hohepa (Hori) Thompson will be returning to Victoria next week to share his experience using design and art as a way to draw attention to significant Māori and New Zealand-wide issues, something he has done throughout his career.

14 September 2017

As Creative Director of Hori Designs, Hori challenges perceptions of both Māori and Pakeha, and since starting his label in 2012, he has been at the centre of artistic and social debate.

He joins as part of the Design for Social Innovation groups’ Alumni Series Te Hokinga Mai (The Return)—a chance for current students to hear from celebrated alumni who are now using creative design solutions to solve some of the social, environmental and cultural challenges facing our world.

Currently Hori is spearheading the PFREE23 campaign, which hopes to raise awareness and open up conversations about one of the country’s biggest social issues, the use of Methamphetamine (also known as P) in our communities.

To do this, Hori is using his skills as an artist and designer, challenging the role of designers in today’s society.

Nan O’Sullivan, programme director of Victoria’s Design for Social Innovation major says, “Hori has always had an eye on social injustices and imbalances. As a designer he has found a way to embed himself and his skills in his community and now wider organisations to ignite social change.

“Hori’s work challenges us all to review our perceptions and our actions over what are our most important assets—He tangata, our people,”

The event is being held on Tuesday September 19th at 12.30pm in Lecture Theatre 2 at Victoria’s Te Aro Campus.